Yesterday I taught a one hour fat burning class to the children and moms living at the domestic violence shelter in San Diego. My charity, The Boulevard Zen Foundation, has been teaching yoga there since last July. I especially wanted to teach the families exercises from my fat burning workouts. The moms loved it and the kids were awesome. What was most significant, though, was my interaction with one particular boy who I first met in July. I’ll call him Alex. When I first offered to shake his hand, Alex reached out with a limp hand as he cowered away. Thus, my first lesson was to teach Alex how to shake hands. “Stand tall, use a really strong grip and look me in the eyes”, I said. Which he did without hesitation. But the real test was whether or not Alex would continue with his new handshake. That’s why interacting with him yesterday was so significant. He shook my hand just like I had taught him. And I congratulated him for it. Because little things can make a big difference. So enjoy looking for the little things that can make a big difference with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #59 – Beautify Your Butt II. – R
Empty your mind
At the beginning of yoga class this morning, our teacher uttered this phrase during our first forward bend (that’s Uttanasana in Sanskrit). The start of any practice is an excellent time to let everything go and empty your mind of any excess baggage you might be carrying with you. That is to say, baggage in the form of mental chatter that prevents you from staying focused and just being present in the moment. Because whether you’re practicing yoga or doing my 5 Minute Fat Burning Workouts, there’s no place for excess baggage. So empty your mind today – and everyday – at the start of your fitness program. And have fun sculpting your abs with today’s 57th consecutive workout! – R
Re-think and dispel
The other day in the gym I read this as it flashed across the TV screen and quietly disagreed: Never judge those who tried and failed; judge those who failed to try. I get the first part, because how can you judge someone for trying, right? But what’s this about judging those for failing to try? Because if you fail to try, that’s your personal decision. Not one that should be judged. On the other hand, if you fail to try, maybe there’s a specific reason for it – a reason that can be re-thought and dispelled. Whatever it is. Especially if it involves fitness. Because if your reason for not exercising on a daily basis is not very compelling, i.e., not enough time or money, consider getting started today with my 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #56 – Blast Your Abs II. Because who doesn’t want to improve their posture and breathing in only 5 minutes a day! Enjoy – R
Kanye West leads the way
I read an article in the LA Times this morning about rap star Kanye West’s closing Sunday night set at Coachella (the 3-day annual Music & Arts Festival in Indio, CA). Kanye ended his “epic and unforgettable” set standing alone. Much like the way he started. Which got me thinking about how working out everyday is just like Kanye standing there alone. Yes, you can workout with your friends or take a group class, but you’re still doing it alone. Which, at times, feels like a very lonely journey. That’s why incorporating bite-size workouts is the key to success. Workouts that are simple and effective. Just like Kanye flying solo without all the bells and whistles of a spectacle behind him, you can fly solo with my anytime-anywhere 5 Minute Fat Burning Workouts. So enjoy tightening your abdominals & core with today’s Workout #55! – R
Paul Revere and many more
Seems like today is quite an historical day, highlighted by Revolutionary War patriot Paul Revere’s famous “midnight ride” warning John Hancock and Samuel Adams the British were coming in 1775. It’s also the day heroine Joan of Arc was declared a Saint (1909), the World’s Fair opened in Chicago (1925), professional baseball’s Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt hit his 500th home run (1987), and the day professional football’s Hall of Famer Joe Montana hung up his spikes for good (1995). Not that historical events have a direct impact on your everyday activities, but for sure they’re worth remembering. Because historical events oftentimes inspire us through the accomplishments of others. At least they do for me. So if you’re looking for a little inspiration today, think of Paul, Joan, Mike or Comeback Joe. Or better yet, garner some inspiration from me and enjoy toning your thighs again with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #54. Have fun – R
Ray Kroc’s first McDonald’s
Exactly 56 years ago today, 52 year-old American businessman – and high school dropout – Ray Kroc purchased his first McDonald’s franchise from the McDonald brothers. It was their 9th location, and the first of thousands that would revolutionize the fast food business and turn Kroc into a multimillionaire ($500 million in his lifetime). This from a man who once tried his hand at a number of trades including paper-cup salesman, pianist, jazz musician, band member, and a multi-mixer milkshake traveling salesman. At one time, Kroc even worked for room and board at a restaurant in the midwest to learn the restaurant business. So taking a line from yesterday’s blog, “If there’s anything in your life that needs more perseverance to get you through, think of Ray Kroc (or Jackie Robinson) and stay the course.” Enjoy sculpting your thighs & triceps with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #52 – Sculpt Your Thighs II. And I’ll see you next time – R
Persevere like Jackie Robinson
Today, Major League Baseball commemorates the 64th anniversary of Hall of Famer, Jackie Robinson, for breaking the color barrier as the first black player to play in MLB since the 1880’s. He was also the first black television analyst in Major League Baseball, and the first black vice-president of a major American corporation (Chock Full O’Nuts in 1957). In the 1960s, Jackie helped establish the Freedom National Bank, an African-American-owned financial institution based in Harlem, New York. This, from a man born into a family of sharecroppers. Jackie Robinson is definitely someone who overcame substantial obstacles, including death threats and horrific slurs from racially charged fans. But he persevered and won a World Championship ring when the Dodgers beat the Yankees in the 1955 World Series. So if there’s anything in your life that needs more perseverance to get you through, think of Jackie Robinson and stay the course. And do so with beautiful thighs & biceps with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #51. Enjoy – R
50 workouts in 50 days
Just the other day I blogged ‘What’s so special about 40’. Actually, it was 10 days ago but it feels like yesterday. That’s how quickly time passes. But from then until now, you could have exercised with me 5 minutes each day (for about an hour). For anyone not currently working out, that’s a great start. Imagine if you’ve been following along the past 50 days. That would mean you exercised everyday for a total of 250+ minutes or more than 4 hours. A lot more, right, with the key here being the everyday part. And from my other DVD offering, Rich Tola’s 15 Minute Fat Burning Workouts, I believe everyone should dedicate at least 1% of their life to physical fitness, i.e., 15 minutes. Based on yoga principles, my workouts are designed to challenge your entire body with low-impact exercises that can be done anytime, anywhere. Or if you prefer more yoga, check out my Yoga Survival Guide for 5 minute lessons of 100 yoga poses. Have fun opening your heart & hips with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #50 – Bridge! – R
Boost your body image with 5 minutes of exercise
There’s a study from the University of Florida that found working out for even a few minutes a day makes you more likely to focus on your sexiest self in the mirror while glossing over your less appreciated body parts. Succinctly put, exercise improves body image for anyone who’s fit or unfit alike. The study’s author and University of Florida exercise psychologist Heather Hausenblas also found that “Negative body image has grown to almost epidemic proportions in the past 20 years, with as many as 60 percent of adults in national studies saying they don’t like the way their bodies look.” Quite a large percentage, wouldn’t you agree? So if you’re in the majority here, consider starting a daily fitness program with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #49 – Core Power. Because who doesn’t want to boost their body image with a little exercise! Enjoy – R
Set your sights and manifest it
I was reading Architectural Digest this morning when I came across an eye-catching ad for the new solar-powered luxury car by Fisker Automotive. It’s called the Karma and I’ve been reading about it for the past year. Actually, I’ve been thinking how great it would be to own one. But since I don’t currently have an extra $100,000 laying around, I’ve opted to set my sights and just manifest it, i.e., make it happen. I even cut out the great looking ad, placing it on my filing cabinet so it stays fresh in my mind. Like anything in the world you deeply desire, set your sights and manifest it. Even a daily fitness program. You can start with only 5 minutes a day. Like today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #48 – Down Dog Chest & Arms. Enjoy – R